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Robert Dover's Olimpick Games
Robert Dover's Cotswold Olimpic Games
Robert Dover's Cotswold Olimpic Games
The Games have a long history, possibly going back to the time when the hill was the site of the Kiftsgate Hundred Court.
Their present form takes much from the records of the Games in the early seventeenth century. Prominent is the picture of the Games published in 1636 with a collection of poems entitled Annalia Dubrensia (see Books on Dovers Games) in praise of the Games by reputable poets of the period.  

 

The title page describes this as 'Olimpick'. The picture depicts Robert Dover presiding over his Games. On the summit of the hill a castle structure has guns firing to start events, and there are representations of the different activities - dancing, backswords, coursing, throwing the sledge hammer, spurning the barre, pike drill, tumbling and even shin-kicking.

 

The poems by Michael Drayton, Ben Jonson, Thomas Randolph, and others describe the excitement of the contest, the good-humoured rivalry, and, above all, the sense of good honest sportmanship which Robert Dover engendered.

 

Publications (available from the Secretary):

 

Heigh for Cotswold! A history

(2nd ed.) - £5.00 incl. p&p. 

 

From the Festival of Britain to the Millenium 

The 20th century Games. - £4.00 incl. p&p.

  

'Annalia Dubrensia' (1636) and other Poems

- £6.50 incl. p&p.

Robert Dover's Cotswold Olimpick Games.
Secretary: Dr Francis Burns: Tel: +44 (0)1384 274041 burnsfda2@btinternet.com